If you’re a cycling enthusiast seeking a challenging adventure that tests both body and mind, the Atlas Mountain Race could be your ultimate bikepacking journey. Here is a complete guide with everything you need to know to tackle it, using my knowledge and lessons learned after completing the race course myself this year.
What is the Atlas Mountain Race?
Key Information:
1,300km unsupported, single-stage bikepacking race.
Where: Through Morocco's Atlas Mountains
Terrain: Gravel, single/double track, old colonial pistes, minimal tarmac, hike-a-bike sections.
Start/Finish: Marrakesh to Essaouira
The Atlas Mountain Race or AMR is an unsupported bikepacking race that spans over 1,300 kilometers featuring 20,000m of climbing. It's a fixed-route, single-stage race, meaning you carry everything you need and the clock never stops, pushing you to your physical and mental limits. Expect a diverse and challenging terrain of gravel, singletrack, and old colonial pistes, with minimal tarmac and plenty of hike-a-bike sections. Resupply points can be scarce, demanding careful planning and resource management.
The Route
The race begins in Marrakech, leading participants through a neutralized zone before ascending Telouet Pass via an ancient mule track. At CP1, I enjoyed the historic Glaoui Kasbah.
After CP1, the route briefly follows tarmac before heading off-road through villages near Anmiter. I passed the Ouarzazate power station and resupplied in Imassine. The climb to the plateau offered stunning views.
The descent into Tizgui featured a refreshing tea break, showcasing the camaraderie of the adventure. After refueling in Taznakht, I continued to CP2 in the Aguinane oasis, then traveled along the Colonial Road through the Atlas Mountains toward Essaouira.
How to Enter
Getting into the Atlas Mountain Race is straightforward but requires careful planning.
Register Online: Keen participants should complete their registration through the official website well in advance. Spots are limited and tend to fill up rapidly, with over 300 participants in recent years.
Pay the Fee: The entry fee covers the registration fee, cap, t-shirt, and finisher's party. You can rent a tracker or use your own. The race organization also provides services to transport your luggage and bike box from the start line in Marrakech to Essaouira (finish line) and a bus to return to Marrakech after the finisher's party, making logistics easier for race participants.
Read the Rules: Understanding the race's regulations concerning your equipment and conduct is vital as you go through remote areas and become familiar with the Moroccan culture.
Prepare for the Challenge: Beyond physical training, participating in local bikepacking events can provide valuable experience. For instance, join a local gravel or mountain bike race to build your endurance and navigate different terrains.
Choosing the Right Bike
When selecting a bike for rough and rocky terrain, it's essential to consider the following options:
Hardtail Mountain Bikes: These bikes are popular among riders due to their lightweight design and front suspension, making them suitable for less technical trails.
Drop Bar Hardtail Mountain Bikes: An increasing number of riders are opting for these bikes, which combine the benefits of a hardtail with the aerodynamic advantages of drop bars.
Full Suspension Mountain Bikes: These bikes provide additional comfort and control on uneven terrain, making them a great choice for those who want to tackle more challenging rides.
Gravel Bikes: Some adventurous riders choose gravel bikes for their versatility and ability to handle rough surfaces, though they may not offer the same level of suspension as mountain bikes.
For the AMR, I went with a drop-bar mountain bike from Bike Ahead Composites because it offered the perfect blend of speed and capability. I needed something lightweight, but also robust enough to handle the gnarly terrain. The Frame itself was incredibly light, just 775 grams, which was crucial for those endless climbs, and the 100mm suspension fork gave me the confidence for the rocky descents. Plus, the generous tire clearance allowed me to run wide 2.2" Continental Race King tires for extra grip and comfort.
BIKE: Bike Ahead Composites HT Frame and BITURBO RSX wheelset. Components include SRAM Eagle XX Transmission, SRAM Force Levers, Bike Ahead Composites Race drop bar and straight seatpost, RockShox Ultimate SID SL suspension fork, Kogel Ceramic bottom bracket and Kolossos Oversized derailleur cage, Control Tech Sirocco aerobars, Continental Race King Tires 2.2″ filled with Silca sealant, Shimano XTR pedals, Silca Sicuro bottle cage and Supernova B54 Max Light.
BAGS & GEAR: I am using the Apidura Backcountry series bags. In my 1L top tube bag, I carry batteries, a mini lock, chamois cream, and sunscreen. Inside the 6L saddle bag, I pack my Albion Zoa Jacket, Albion Rain Jacket, Sea to Summit sleeping bag, and bivvy. In the 1.8L downtube pack, I store a Cycplus electric pump, repair kit, first aid kit, and a spare tube. Finally, in my frame bag, I carry an Anker power bank, charger and cables, spare helmet and front light, hygiene kit, Albion Burner, Silca pump, and multitool. I also use an Albion Cargo vest with an Apidura Hydration Bladder for extra capacity.
LUXURY ITEMS: An extra pair of Albion Cargo shorts and my two Insta360 action cameras.
Essential Equipment
Bag Type | Top Tube Bag (1L) | Saddle Bag (6L) | Downtube Pack (1.8L) | Frame Bag |
Contents | Battery for Supernova B54 Max light, mini lock, chamois cream, sunscreen. | Albion Zoa Jacket, Albion Rain Jacket, Sea to Summit sleeping bag, bivy. | Cycplus electric pump, repair kit, first aid kit, spare tube. | Anker power bank, charger and cables, spare helmet and front light, hygiene kit, Albion Burner, Silca Tattico pump, Silca multitool. |
Additional items: Albion Cargo Vest with an Apidura Hydration Bladder (2L) for extra capacity.
Shoes: Quoc Gran Tourer XC shoes.
Luxury Items:
An extra pair of Albion Cargo shorts.
Two Insta360 action cameras (Insta360 Ace Pro and Insta360 Go 3).
Nutrition
Fueling the AMR: My 48-Hour Nutrition Strategy
Precision Fuel & Hydration:
90-gram gels (10)
300-gram gel (1) - in my flow bottle
Chews (10)
Electrolytes
Storage:
Most nutrition stored in my Albion cargo vest with my Apidura 2L water bladder.
Albion cargo shorts provided extra carrying capacity.
Beyond Sports Nutrition:
After 48 hours, I relied on cafes and small shops for food like cookies, honey, and omelettes.
Plan Your Meals: Prepare carbohydrate and protein-rich meals and snacks like instant oatmeal and energy bars.
Stay Hydrated: Regularly replenish water to avoid dehydration, especially in dry, high-altitude conditions.
Pack Smart: Carry lightweight, non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods such as dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and freeze-dried meals.
Listen to Your Body: Eat before feeling hungry to maintain energy levels with regular small snacks.
Caffeine: Use moderate caffeine for focus and stamina, but cautiously to prevent crashes.
Race Report: My Experience
Day 1: 186km - Marrakesh to CP1 via the Telouet Pass & the Donkey Trail:
The race started at 6 p.m. in the dark, but we began with a 36-kilometer neutralized zone. We were escorted out of Marrakesh by a police car, maintaining an average speed of 28km/h in the group. This made for a fast and stressful start, trying to stay with the pace before the tarmac turned into gravel and the real climbing began towards the Telouet Pass. That first night was brutal! We faced snow and ice, making some sections completely unrideable. I even got lost on that infamous 10-kilometer donkey trail – definitely not my finest moment! I also crashed twice that first night, which shook my confidence a bit. I quickly realized I might have underestimated the off-road skills needed for this race. After a long, challenging night, I finally reached Checkpoint 1 at 4 a.m., covering 186 kilometers.
Day 2: 150km - Anti-Atlas: Desolation and Grit:
The challenges kept coming. I left CP1 and knew that Immasine was the last resupply before the remote 100km stretch through the Anti-Atlas Mountains. As I entered this desolate area on day two, I ran out of water and missed a gas station, leaving me with no resupply options. It was a tough mental battle, pushing through that dry, remote landscape. Early in the day, after getting dropped in every descent by other riders, I realized I lacked the off-road confidence and skills to be competitive. I decided to shift my focus to enjoying the experience and reaching the finish line.
The day turned into night in the Anti-Atlas, and my only motivation was to reach Afra. I got there at 1 a.m. and managed to find a cafe where I ate an omelette. Thankfully, they also rented rooms for 200 Moroccan Dirham. I decided to take a room and get a 5-hour rest to recharge and avoid riding in the dark for a while. Nights in Morocco are long in February, around 12 hours, and tend to be very cold.
Day 3: 200km - Afra to CP2 (Aguinane): Riverbeds, Climbs, and a Noisy Night:
After leaving Afra at 4 a.m., I immediately faced a riverbed section where I got completely lost, losing a lot of precious time. It was a frustrating start, but thankfully, the sun came up and I found my way back on track. I hit tarmac, and the long climb was actually a welcome change, allowing me to make up some mileage. I reached the first resupply of the day, a cafe, where I savored my first omelette of the race, along with some warm bread.
Fuelled up, I continued up and down through gravel and rocky roads before ascending onto a plateau towards CP2.
CP2 was located in the lush palm oasis of Aguinane, 566km into the race. I arrived at 21:40, and the checkpoint was at an auberge. I treated myself to another omelette and a tagine, hoping for a good night's rest. However, the shared room was incredibly noisy, and I only managed to get two hours of sleep – definitely not the rest I was hoping for.
Day 4: 311km - CP2 (Aguinane) to CP3 (Tafraoute) via the Colonial Road: My Breaking Point:
I left CP2 early in the morning, determined to reach the old colonial road before sunset, knowing it was a tough section. It was super cold, and I stopped at the first resupply cafe to warm up with some Moroccan tea, an omelette, bread, and energizing Amlou. Amlou, for those who don't know, is a delicious Moroccan spread made with argan oil, almonds, and honey, a real energy booster!
The terrain quickly turned rocky and remote. After spending some more hours lost in a riverbed, I reached Tagmout, the last resupply point. I made a critical error by not stopping, as I did not feel safe stopping in Tagmout, this left me with no food or water for the colonial road, a huge mistake.
In the heat of the day, I tackled the old colonial road climb – steep, rocky, and with challenging hike-a-bike sections. The dust, altitude, and weather took their toll. I developed a cough and found myself severely dehydrated, coughing up blood, out of breath, and confused, with no way out of this remote area but to keep cycling.
The colonial road was a highlight of the race, like riding on another planet with moon-like terrain, but it also became my breaking point. I wanted to scratch from the race, but I knew the best option was to push to CP3, 877km into the race, where I could find a bus or a place to sleep. By the time I reached CP3 at 5 a.m., my body had completely shut down.
Day 5: Recovering and Re-evaluating, CP3 to Essaouira:
After a 7-hour rest at CP3, I reevaluated my situation and health. I decided to no longer compete in the race, but rather bikepack the rest of the route and reach the finish line. I didn't even realize I was the 3rd woman at this point. I left CP3 at midday, heading into a long tarmac climb, making my way towards the seaside and the finish line.
The next day was time to tackle the desert sandy section of 20km. I lowered my tire pressure, enabling me to ride through it while other riders I saw were forced to walk – tire pressure is key! After the sandy section, it was more climbing in the heat before reaching the "Moroccan Stelvio" section at night. I reached the surf town of Imsouane at 2 a.m., 1313km into the race, a key area with hotels and shops. I decided to rest for 9 hours. I had experienced several mechanical issues on the last off-road descent leading into Imsouane due to crashes, and though I thought I would have to scratch completely, I managed to fix them.
Day 7: The Final Push to Essaouira:
The final stretch was mostly tarmac, and at this point, I was determined to reach the finish line, even if it meant walking. But my bike held up to the challenge, and riding slowly but surely, I saw the outline of Essaouira town, which gave me the motivation for the final push. I reached the finish line at the small restaurant in Essaouira's medina in 5 days and 21 hours. It was a truly humbling experience that taught me resilience more than anything. The Atlas Mountains were the most beautiful place I've ever ridden my bike, but also the hardest. Just reaching the finish line felt like a win, and all the amazing experiences and people I met along the way were the biggest reward.
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